How to calculate IRR within a DCF Model

I'm trying to find the IRR based on a DCF model I built for IBM. However, I keep on getting the #NUM returned. I'm hoping if anyone can see if there's anything wrong with my set up.

Item #1: EV (purchase price): $210,915,106.81 Item #2: CF 2017: $10,084,617.63 Item #3: CF 2018: $9,636,329.03 Item #4: CF 2019: $9,249,581.72 Item #5: CF 2020: $8,736,297.45 Item #6: CF 2021: $8,328,116.57

the formula I have in excel is "=XIRR(Item #1 to #6, CF 2017 to 2021).

I think I'm missing the terminal cf, but how do I find that, and how would I add it to the formula?

4 Comments
 

Iceshift, others might do it differently, but here is how I set mine up whenever my firm values a potential acquisition target (I always use the =IRR formula):

CF1=purchase price (this must be a negative as it's a cash outflow) CF2=Year 1 EBITDA CF3=Year 2 EBITDA CF4=Year 3 EBITDA CF5=Year 4 EBITDA CF6=Year 5 EBITDA CF6=Terminal value (we use the Gordon Growth formula)

Your mistake is most likely that you forgot to set the purchase price as a negative.

EDIT: I just opened up Excel and confirmed that if your purchase price is not set as negative, it does indeed give you a #NUM! error.

 

Sil Thank you for your detailed response. Attached is the way I have set it up. It shows both FCFF and EBITDA.

https://s16.postimg.org/cs2sh0j8l/xirr-error.png</a" alt="xirr setup" />

I have a few questions:

  1. Why do we use EBITDA over FCFF?

I understand that IRR is the rate of return that sets the NPV to $0.

FCFF IRR = 1% and EBITDA IRR = 6.02%

  1. When I set the WACC to either 1% or 6.02%, none of my NPV changes to zero.

Sorry if these questions are very basic - this is my first week working these concepts.

 

Terminal value is an assumption. Can use perpetual growth or just simply an EBITDA multiple method (start by setting it equal to the multiple of your purchase price).

If using XIRR, the dates need to be actual dates like 12/31/2021, not just 2021. The purchase price needs to be negative at first. To add the terminal value just add another column and make the date the same as the 2021 date.

 
Best Response

Dignissimos odit quis eius omnis asperiores voluptatibus. Ut et et consequatur voluptatem.

Sed eum non quibusdam rerum molestiae quas rerum. Qui vero necessitatibus iure excepturi cupiditate voluptas id et. Exercitationem voluptates provident quis neque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”